Pringles Hot Smokin' BBQ Ribs Crisps, 160g

Pringles Hot Smokin' BBQ Ribs puts the flavour of sticky, spiced barbecue ribs on the stackable Pringles crisp, with enough heat to earn a place in the hot range. This is the 160g tube. The full product name on the pack is BBQ Ribs Flavour Savoury Snack.

Formed crisps

According to the published pack listing, the crisps are made from dehydrated potatoes, sunflower oil, wheat flour, corn flour, rice flour, a BBQ ribs flavour seasoning, maltodextrin, an emulsifier (E471) and a colour, annatto norbixin. The dough of potato and flours is pressed into the curved Pringles shape, so every crisp is the same size and they stack in the tube.

A barbecue rub, written out

The seasoning lists sugar, whey permeate powder (milk), flavourings (milk), salt, onion powder, garlic powder, spices (cayenne pepper, black pepper, chilli pepper and cumin), colours (plain caramel and paprika extract), potassium chloride, carob powder, acidity regulators (citric and malic acid), flavour enhancers (glutamate and disodium 5'-ribonucleotides), fructose, yeast extract, maltodextrin, smoked maltodextrin, smoked salt, herbs and sunflower oil.

Read it as a rub. Sugar and fructose give the sticky sweetness of a glaze. Onion, garlic and cumin give the savoury, earthy base. Cayenne, black pepper and chilli pepper bring the heat, from three different sources. Smoked maltodextrin and smoked salt carry the smoke, and carob powder and plain caramel darken the flavour and the colour, the way a long cook darkens a glaze. Citric and malic acid add the tang of a barbecue sauce.

Three sources of heat

Cayenne and chilli pepper are both chillies, giving the direct burn; black pepper adds a different, sharper warmth from piperine rather than capsaicin. Together they give a layered heat that builds steadily rather than all at once. It is hotter than the classic Pringles Texas BBQ Sauce, which lists no chilli.

Numbers per serving

The label gives, per 30g serving, 157 kcal (654 kJ), 9g of fat, 0.9g of saturates, 17g of carbohydrate, 1.2g of sugars, 1.1g of fibre, 1.8g of protein and 0.18g of salt. That is about 8% of an average adult's daily energy reference intake and 3% of the salt. Per 100g it is 522 kcal, 30g of fat, 2.9g of saturates, 55g of carbohydrate, 4g of sugars, 3.8g of fibre, 6.1g of protein and 0.61g of salt.

Reading the front of the pack

On the UK front of pack scale, per 100g, fat at 30g is red. Saturates at 2.9g are amber. Sugars at 4g are green, just under the 5g line, with sugar leading the seasoning. Salt at 0.61g is amber and among the lower figures in the Pringles range we stock.

Allergens and diet

The published ingredients highlight cereals containing gluten, from the wheat flour, and milk, from the whey permeate and flavourings. The allergy advice says the crisps may contain soya. No meat is listed in the ingredients, but the published listing does not carry a vegetarian statement for this flavour, so we cannot describe it as vegetarian; check the pack if that matters to you. It is not vegan, because of the milk, and not suitable for anyone avoiding gluten. Recipes and factory arrangements change, so check the allergy advice on the pack you receive.

The tube

The label says the tube is packaged in a protective atmosphere, which keeps oxygen away from the oil. Press the lid on firmly after opening. The pack carries the Kellogg Europe Trading Limited trade mark notice.

Serving the tube

Barbecue ribs flavour suits a barbecue, a burger night or a games night. Pour a stack into a bowl beside burgers or grilled sausages, or put the tube on the table with a cooling coleslaw or a blue cheese dip. A cold lager or a glass of cola handles the heat.

In the kitchen

Crushed, these crisps make a smoky, spiced crumb for the top of a mac and cheese or a baked bean pot. A handful crushed over a pulled pork or pulled jackfruit bun adds crunch and heat together.

Why carob and caramel

Carob powder, from the pods of the carob tree, has a roasted, slightly cocoa like taste, and plain caramel is a colour made by heating sugar. Together they darken the seasoning and give it the deep, sticky look and taste of a glaze that has been brushed on ribs and cooked down, without adding any chocolate or burnt bitterness.

A 30g serving in context

The label's 30g serving is 157 kcal and 0.18g of salt, about 3% of an adult's daily salt reference intake. The tube holds a little over five of those servings, so passing it round a table of five or six is the portion the label has in mind.

Who it suits

It suits anyone who likes barbecue flavour with a real kick and a smoky finish. It does not suit anyone avoiding chilli, gluten or milk; the pack says it is suitable for vegetarians.

The hot Pringles range

In the same 160g tube we also stock Pringles Hot Kickin' Sour Cream. For barbecue flavour without the chilli, Pringles Texas BBQ Sauce comes in a 165g tube.

Storage

The published listing points to the base of the tube for the best before date. Store it in a cool, dry place and put the lid back on firmly once opened.

Other 160g packs of Pringles we stock

Figures as published on each pack's label.

The tasting notes on this page are our own editorial assessment against the current pack format and the brand's published description.